Inventory of the Mariposa Ranch Papers:

1890-1962

Hacienda de la Mariposa was situated in the state of Coahuila, District of Monclova, 27 miles north of Músquiz, 50 miles southwest of Sabinas and 90 miles from Eagle Pass, Texas
With capital backing from the Learmonth family, a Scottish entrepreneur in Australia, David Harkness McKellar, an emigrant from Australia and New Zealand in the late 1880s, purchased over 250,000 acres in Coahuila and founded Hacienda de la Mariposa in 1890.
The ranch sat in an open valley formed by a fork of the Santa Rosa Mountains which marked the western and northern boundaries, and protected it from winter winds. These mountains yielded cedar and oak timber for fencing and building purposes. On the southern boundary, the Sabinas River, a clear, ever-flowing mountain river, was stocked with fish. Pasture arroyos provided additional watering areas, in addition to ten natural springs, one of which was a mineral spring. Grasses and forage plants thrived, growing much taller than in Colorado or southern Texas. Nutritious Gramma grass abounded, as did Bermuda, mesquite, sotol, palmetto and guajillo, all much sought after by stock. The ranch was sold in the early 1960s by Alden Scott McKellar, a grandson of its founder, David Harkness McKellar.
Correspondence, diaries, minutes, proceedings, printed material, financial documents, legal documents, photographic and audio material, maps, charts, graphs, and lists chronicle the history of La Hacienda de la Mariposa and document the hard work and political savvy of the McKellars, contending with both the Mexican Revolution and land reform as they managed their ranch.
Three series, personal correspondence, business correspondence, and diaries provide a record of the ranch's earnings, business analyses, ranch operations and expenses, accompanied by literate expositions on local as well as national Mexican politics. Personal correspondence (1902-1955) includes a handwritten bound volume of letters from Ernest F. Black to the Learmonth brothers, Stanley Learmonth and James Allen Learmonth, in Australia dated December 29, 1902 to September 30, 1907. Business correspondence (1882-1955; bulk: 1903-1955) documents activities relating to every facet of ranch operations such as ordering supplies and cattle sales, most correspondents being factors in Texas, Missouri, New Mexico in addition to local factors in Músquiz, Coahuila, as well as with the Cámara Ganadera de Coahuila and Mexican National Land Mortgage and Investment Company. Also present are 11 handwritten bound volumes of outgoing correspondence (1890-1918) by Stanley Learmonth, James Allen Learmonth, and Ernest F. Black.
Other significant correspondents include Sara Scott McKellar and Jésus M. Palacios. A total of 22 handwritten bound volumes of diaries and cattle records (1921-1962) recount the daily activities of the Mariposa Ranch, including weather conditions, rainfall, ranch and family activities, and visitors. Also present are maps, plats, organizational documents, contracts, Mexican political tracts as well as the organizational charter handwritten on vellum. An interview with Alden Scott Mckellar and photographic prints and negatives are also included.

Hacienda de la Mariposa was situated in the state of Coahuila, District of Monclova, 27 miles north of Músquiz, 50 miles southwest of Sabinas and 90 miles from Eagle Pass, Texas

With capital backing from the Learmonth family, a Scottish entrepreneur in Australia, Mr. David Harkness McKellar, an emigrant from Australia and New Zealand in the late 1880s, purchased over 250,000 acres in Coahuila and founded La Hacienda de la Mariposa in 1890.

The ranch sat in an open valley formed by a fork of the Santa Rosa Mountains which marked the western and northern boundaries and protected it from the cold north winds in winter. These mountains yielded from its canyons an almost inexhaustible supply of cedar and oak timber for fencing and building purposes. The eastern boundary faced the open plains country.

The southern boundary was originally marked by the Sabinas River, a beautifully clear mountain river, ever-flowing and fringed by large cypress trees. Well stocked with fish, it was not only a place of recreation, but also provided a pleasant change of diet. In later years, after the appropriation of 10,000 acres of land by the government, the boundary was moved further north.

Pastures were traversed by creek beds, called arroyos, which provided additional watering areas for the cattle There were ten natural springs, nine being ordinary water and the other a mineral water spring. Soil on the southern half was a good red chocolate and the northern half a combination of sandy loam and a black, friable earth.

Grasses and forage plants thrived exceptionally well in this region, growing much taller than in Colorado or southern Texas. The stony soil helped preserve the moisture at the root of the plants. The nutritious Gramma grass, well known among ranchers, was abundant in the area. Bermuda, mesquite, sotol, palmetto and guajillo grew wild in the area and were much sought after by the stock. The nopal, or prickly pear cactus, grew abundantly in the canyons.

At an altitude of 1800 to 2500 feet, the ranch enjoyed a semi-tropical climate with 23 inches average annual rainfall. Thus it was a pleasant residence both winter and summer.

The ranch was sold in the early 1960s by Alden Scott McKellar, a grandson of its founder, David Harkness McKellar.

Correspondence, diaries, minutes, proceedings, printed material, financial documents, legal documents, photographic and audio material, maps, charts, graphs, and lists in the Mariposa Ranch Papers (32 linear feet) chronicle the history of La Hacienda de la Mariposa and document the hard work and political savvy of the McKellars as they tried to balance the economic and business necessities of running a ranch, with the political realities of the Mexican Revolution and land reform.

The Mariposa Ranch Papers contain three basic record series: personal correspondence, business correspondence, and diaries.

Personal correspondence (1902-1955) contains over 900 letters written between the Learmonth brothers, Stanley Learmonth and James Allen Learmonth, and Ernest F. Black, and between the Learmonth brothers and David Skene McKellar. These letters detail earnings, business analyses, ranch operations and expenses, literate expositions on local as well as national Mexican politics. There is also a handwritten bound volume of letters from Ernest Black to the Learmonth brothers in Australia dated December 29, 1902 to September 30, 1907. Other significant correspondents include Sara Scott McKellar and Jésus M. Palacios.

Business correspondence (1882-1955; bulk: 1903-1955) contains approximately 15,000 letters. These letters document activities relating to every facet of ranch operations such as ordering supplies and cattle sales. Much of this correspondence is with factors in Texas, Missouri, New Mexico in addition to local factors in Músquiz, Coahuila, as well as with the Cámara Ganadera de Coahuila and Mexican National Land Mortgage and Investment Company. In this series, there are also 11 handwritten bound volumes of outgoing correspondence (1890-1918) from the Mariposa Ranch by Stanley Learmonth, James Allen Learmonth, and Earnest F. Black.

A total of 22 bound volumes of diaries and cattle records (1921-1962) recount the daily activities of the Mariposa Ranch, including a very complete daily rehearsal of weather conditions, rainfall, ranch and family activities, as well as ranch visitors, (including Sterling C. Evans in the 1920's and Charles Lindbergh). Each volume is handwritten and carefully dated.

In addition, there are numerous maps, plats, organizational documents, contracts, Mexican political tracts as well as the organizational charter handwritten on vellum. An interview with Alden Scott Mckellar and photographic materials fill in some of the gaps in the papers and the family history not reflected in the papers

Organization of the Papers

This collection is organized into 3 series:

Series 1. Personal Correspondence, 1902-1955.

Series 2. Business Correspondence, 1882-1955 (bulk: 1902-1955).

Series 3. Diaries and Cattle Records, 1921-1962.

Arrangement of the Papers

This collection is primarily arranged chronologically, with some materials arranged alphabetically.

Access

Usage Restrictions

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online
catalog of Cushing Memorial Library. Researchers wishing to find related materials
should search the catalog under these index terms.

Detailed Description of the Papers:

Series 1. Personal Correspondence,
1902-1955.

box-folder

1/10-2/400

Learmonth/Black Correspondence,
1902-1918.

box-folder

3/10-7/660

Learmonth/McKellar Correspondence,
1923-1955.

Series 2. Business Correspondence,
1882-1955.

Also includes legal documents, maps, blueprints, reports, financial, and legal records, and photographs (sheets of negatives and prints), as well as correspondence and legal documents concerning the donation of the San Jose materials to Cushing Memorial Library, 1885-1904 and undated.

box-folder

8/10-39/470

Business Correspondence,
1903-1955.

box-folder

40/10

Original documents on the Nacimiento Estate, Learmonth/McKellar(document missing!!!) 1885,

box-folder

40/20

Documents and correspondence regarding incorporation of Mariposa.

box-folder

40/30

Charts, blueprints, notes and receipts regarding pipelines and wells.

box-folder

40/40

Reports, correspondence, and minutes of Mariposa company shareholders' meeting.

box-folder

40/50

Plane of El Zacate (in Spanish). October 12, 1904.

box-folder

41/10

San Jose Material. Reports. The Mexican National Land Mortgage and Investment Company, Ltd. by Mr. George Francis Birt Jenner, British Secretary of Legation in Mexico, 1 printed pamphlet, . 1889

box-folder

41/20

San Jose Material. Map. Territory of New Mexico, 1882.

box-folder

41/30

San Jose Material. Map. Property of Mexican National Mortgage and
Investment Co, Ltd. 1 printed leaf.
On the back is letter from
F. Heron Relph to the Directors of the Mexican National
Land Mortgage and Investment Co., Ltd. about
estates of Aguanueva
and Carneros relating to their company, no date.

box-folder

41/40

San Jose Material. Map. Plano de los Terrenos del Nacimiento, 1891.

box-folder

41/50

San Jose Material. Map. Plano de los Terrenos de Nacimiento, April 20, 1887.

box-folder

41/60

San Jose Material. San Jose Material. Map. Plano de los Terrenos de Nacimiento, no date.

San Jose Material. Map. Showing coal crops and drill holes near the Sabinas River, no date.

box-folder

41/90

San Jose Material. Prospectus. The Mexican National Land Mortgage and Investment Co., Ltd., 1 printed pamphlet.

box-folder

41/100

San Jose Material. Account statement. David McKellar with the Mexican National Land Mortgage and Investment Co., Ltd., 1 handwritten folio and original envelope.

box-folder

41/110

San Jose Material. Statement of the properties of the Nacimiento Estate with a view to its sale to a syndicate or company, 6 handwritten leaves, original envelope, and a newspaper clipping regarding market gossip on cattle.

box-folder

41/120

San Jose Material. Power of Attorney. David H. McKellar to Messrs. E. T. Doxat, 3 bound handwritten leaves and original envelope. December 16, 1886.

box-folder

41/130

San Jose Material. Memorandum of mortgage. David H. McKellar to Dalgety and Co., 3 bound handwritten leaves, January 31, 1885.

McKellar, Alden to Edith Smith. Regarding the McKellar and Skene family histories. ALS, 2 leaves with original envelope. January 15, 1990.

Skene family history. 8 pages, photocopy.

Lineage of the McKellars of StrathKellar. 5 typed leaves, photocopy.

Smith, Edith to Alden McKellar. Regarding her credentials; how she acquired the documents; lists some of the documents in the collection; offering the collection to Texas A&M. 2 handwritten leaves. No date.

McKellar, Alden to Edith Smith. Regarding the McKellar and Skene family histories. ALS, 2 leaves with original envelope. January 15, 1990.

Skenefamily history. 8 pages, photocopy.

Lineage of the McKellars of StrathKellar. 5 typed leaves, photocopy.

Smith, Edith to Alden McKellar. Regarding her credentials; how she acquired the documents; lists some of the documents in the collection; offering the collection to Texas A&M. 2 handwritten leaves. No date.

Edith Smith's notes on the McKellar collection. 6 handwritten leaves.

box-folder

42/30

San Jose Material. Passport photos of Sarah Scott McKellar, total of 23; passport photos of David Skene McKellar, total of 2 and an envelope.

San Jose Material. Anderson, I. [London] to Mrs. McKellar. Regarding sympathy from himself and himself and the Andersons. ALS May 31, 1893. 1 leaf.

San Jose Material. Sethbridge, I. [Dalgety &co.] to Mrs. J. K. McKellar [Cedar Rapids, Neb.]. Regarding her assets, small block of land at Brooksdale (11 1/2 acres) and some shares in a company needed to be sold to satisfy the Union Bank, the British and Australasian Trust Co. and themselves, otherwise it will fall into the hands of the Public Trustee and become unclaimed property. 1 handwritten leaf. August 29, 1898.

box-folder

42/70

San Jose Material. Carden, Lionel [Legation, Mexico] to E. F. Black [Nacimiento, Coahuila], Regarding sending the circular from Mr. Elliot-Blake to the Minister for Foreign Affairs to call attention to the Gov. of Coahuila on the attempt to influence public opinion in the case now appearing before the courts. In England this would be contempt of court, does not know if this is punishable in Coahuila. ALS, 1 leaf with envelope. December 4, 1894.

[Bulletin] Confirmation of Mr. Relph's Report by John Cross Buchanan. Regarding report on the Hacienda of Aguanueva in the State of Saltillo. 1 printed leaf. May 21, 1889.

McGowan Jr., Lewis A. [Washington, D. C.] to Joe Lowther [Montana]. Regarding now he got along with Chapple; starting a new ranch on Stillwater; Putty joined mountaineering club; no luck from George McKelvey or Ikerman. TLS, 1 leaf with handwritten note and envelope. November 4, 1941.

"Out West with the Parkhills"Parkhill Montana Ranches. 1 printed leaf.

"Vultee Vanguard" plane, and ["Small town on River"] 2 postcards.

box-folder

42/90

San Jose Material. Stewart, G. M. [Edificio del Banco Hipotecario] to E. F. Black. Re: received his letter regarding a remittance, Craddock says it will be 60 days; anxious to see outstanding balance paid; Nelson sent a bill for L8300 to the Banco de Loudres to be exchanged for the cancelled mortgage; the cost of cancellation are payable to Weller. ALS September 24, 1894. 1 leaf.

Stewart, G. M. to E. F. Black.Re: Nelson needs to pay L8300 in exchange for deed of Mortgage legally cancelled; glad to hear that he will soon receive payments from Mrs. McKellar to cover interest and charges; he needs to settle this matter quickly since he took management of Interoceanic Railway; Don Pablo Martinez del Rio went to England; hope to meet Craddock in Coahuila. ALS September 12, 1895. 2 leaves.

Stewart, G. M. to E. F. Black. Re: 2 1/2 months have passed since Black wrote regarding payment; Don Pablo Martinez del Rio expects payment; he is worried because he is responsible to his company for releasing the mortgaged property before receiving payment; received payment from Nelson and asked for another month's interest, Rust said Black claims he was never charged interest for late payments; asking Mrs. McKellar to pay interest on her overdue paymnets; asking if Mr. Craddock means busines about the Coahuila properties he has for sale. ALS November 25, 1895. 2 leaves.

Stewart, G. M. to E. F. Black. Re: must do something about properties in Coahuila without delay; hopes Mrs. McKellar's business progresses well; Nelson has not yet sent the interest owed. ALS February 27, 1986. 1 leaf.

Stewart, G. M. to E. F. Black. Re: please send two copies of Kansas City Star as it has a picture of his wife and an article by Mrs. Hudson about his house in Walpam, P. M.,; will be going to Kansas City and hope to see him and Mrs. McKellar; must do something with Coahuila properties before he leaves since Craddock denies conversation about prospective buyer. ALS March 24, 1896. 1 leaf.

box-folder

42/100

San Jose Material. Heitman &Adams [Attorneys, Kansas City, Mo.] to Mrs. Jane McKellar. Re: writing on instructions of Mrs. Cassini McDaniel, widow of Thomson McDaniel to send a written demand for dower in the property described; this is preliminary to a suit if settlement cannot be effected. TLS February 14, 1896. 1 leaf.

San Jose Material. [Document] McDaniel, Cassini (signed by Heitman &Adams) to E. F. Black, trustee for Florence, Maud, Jane R., Edith and David Skene McKellar. Stating that she had a claim for dower in Jackson County, Missouri, known as the Nelson Building of which she has not relinquished her right to dower. TLS, 1 leaf with handwritten note and a copy to Jane McKellar.

San Jose Material. Palacios, Jesus M. [Muzquiz] to E. F. Black [Las Rucias]. Re: please come tomorrow to visit; tell Mrs. McKellar that he cannot see her until Friday or Saturday; list of personal items of Mr. McKellar's to send to the Court, such as vest, coat, etc. he was wearing the day he was killed. ALS August 15, 1892. 1 leaf.

Palacios, Jesus M. [Muzquiz] to Mrs. J. Catherine McKellar [Las Rucias]. Re: just received letter from PresidentDiaz addressed to Gov. of Coahuila, Garza Galan; in view of its contents he must to go Saltillo to talk with the Governor. ALS August 16, 1892. 1 leaf.

Palacios, Jesus M. [Muzquiz] to E. F. Black [Las Rucias]. Re: returned from Saltillo; send McKellar's will so he can commence the testamentary proceedings; wants the birth certificates of her children because McKellar does not mention them by name in his will. ALS August 22, 1892. 1 leaf.

San Jose Material. Palacios, Jesus M. [Muzquiz] to Mrs. Jane McKellar [Las Rucias]. Re: received her letter inquiring about the bases of agreement made with Mrs. Villareal; advice regarding clause 1. Reagarding her cattle, let them stay in your pasture until May. The cattle are so scattered that the five months will be barely sufficient to round them up, your losses would be $1,500 instead of $400 if she took her cattle out now. Cattle count more than 8,000 head, so you should receive more than originally thought. Villareal has approved this and sent his wife power of attorney. ALS January 9, 1893. 4 leaves.

Palacios, Jesus M. [Muzquiz] to Mrs. Jane McKellar [Las Rucias]. Re: sent your application relating to taxes she must pay. Antonio Berchelmann, who has done me may favors asked for a $400 loan; asking Mrs. McKellar for $400 to loan him; waiting for the Judge in Saltillo to settle this matter and execute the public deed; according to Don Miguel Muzuiz, the Gov't owes him $248 which he will give to Don Miguel. ALS January 16, 1893. 2 leaves.

Palacios, Jesus M. [Muzquiz] to Mrs. Jane McKellar [Las Rucias]. Re: signing the deed of adjustment; he has not been able to deduct the $1,750 from the price of the real estate because they say they have to pay Mr. Goodwin $1,500; Mrs. Villareal is upset about payments; by not deducting the $1,750 from the price of real estate she can get 194 head of cattle more, which will sell for at least $9 per head; she needs to attend the heirs meeting with the Judge Friday. ALS February 15, 1893. 2 leaves.

Palacios, Jesus M. [Muzquiz] to Mrs. Jane McKellar [Las Rucias]. Re: he has fulfilled his duties and will try to finish everything before the 26th; probate duty should not be more than $1,000 which you can deduct $300 for reimbursement for persecution expenses of Fiburcio Galan; please pay at least $1,500 of the legal fees as you promised; anxious to hear your answer about his wife. ALS June 15, 1893. 1 leaf.

Palacios, Jesus M. [Muzquiz] to Mrs. Jane McKellar [Muzquiz]. Re: went to see Mr. del Rio and was surprised to hear he was not satisfied with Palacios's proceedings relating to Villareal case; states what he has done for her in the prosecution of Villareal; cannot discuss the secrets of your business without your consent. TLS July 6, 1893. 2 leaves.

Palacios, Jesus M. [Muzquiz] to Mrs. Jane McKellar [Muzquiz]. Re: saw the telegram you sent del Rio relating the power of attorney and the appointment of the estate of McKellar; left the copy to be legalized by the Gov.; will not send the power of attorney until after the results of the Galindo matter. TLS August 3, 11893. 1 leaf.

Palacios, Jesus M. [Muzquiz] to Mrs. Jane McKellar [Muzquiz]. Re: spoke with del Rio so he might settle things in your favor; wife and I thank you for congratulations on birth of daughter; will write you about the "amparo" of Villareal, be careful with it so it doesn't change the bad condition he is in; when he is sentenced again I think he will get the same (capital publishment). TLS August 25, 1893. 1 leaf.

Palacios, Jesus M. [Muzquiz] to Mrs. Jane McKellar [Las Vegas]. Re: thank you for picture of McKellar; will have to get a new certificate because the old one was lost by the Private Secretary of Gov. Garza Galan; Villareal should be sentenced again; rumors are not true that Villareal will come to this town again; was not able to get pictures of his daughter. ALS October 25, 1893. 2 leaves.

Palacios, Jesus M. [Muzquiz] to E. F. Black [Las Rucias]. Re: did not write about Galindo matter because of illness; will try to settle this matter and take the deed for registration in Monclova; sending certified copy of appointment of Mrs. McKellar as executrix of the estate. TLS December 20, 1893. 1 leaf.

Palacios, Jesus M. [Muzquiz] to Mrs. Jane McKellar [Kansas City, Mo.]. Re: sorry to know the results of the exchange which she made with her ranch; hope Nelson and Weller will pay soon; has been studying the best way to obtain the restitution of your ranch with all the cattle; after examining the deed you can ask the annulation of the deed because Nelson and Weller have not fulfilled their agreement; sending copy of letter he sent del Rio about this. TLS February 6, 1896. 1 leaf.

[E. F. Black] to Jesus M. Palacios [Muzquiz]. Re: Mrs. McKellar is anxious to see del Rio's reply to your letter before she gives you instructions to proceed; inquiring about the legal fees he is intending to charge; she wants Davila, Goodwin and Milmo to give her one year after receiving the property to pay their claims; she also wants to know if Mr. Learmonth can be made "interventor;" if Nelson wants to move more stock, you and Don Miquel use your judgement regarding the "embargo;" make it clear to Miguel that Mrs. McKellar is unable to put any money into the matter; inquiring if they choose to embargo the property and bring suit, can they abandon the suit without forfeiting the bond; the Stewart letter is most essential if we do commence action. TL, 1 leaf with handwritten editing. February 27, 1896.

Palacios, Jesus M. [Muzquiz] to Mrs. Jane McKellar [Kansas City, Mo.]. Re: Nelson &Weller tried to get a group of cattle; talked to del Rio about this; his reply (in Spanish); thinks you should start a case against Nelson and Weller. TLS March 5, 1896. 1 leaf.

San Jose Material. Fisher, Thomas B. [Dalgety &Co.] to David McKellar. Re: Dunedin Branch has turned your account over to us for collection of the L9304:17:6 debt; we must ask you to furnish us with security on the Nacimiento estate. ALS July 14, 1891. 2 leaves.

Fisher, Thomas B. [Dalgety &Co.] to Mrs. David McKellar. Re: read of the death of Mr. McKellar in The Times; enclosing copy of account of debt, L10,281:2:2. ALS August 29, 1892. 1 leaf.

McKellar, Jane K. to Dalgety and Co., Ltd. Re: the 11 1/2 acres in Black Gallery Moorsdale, near Brooksdale, she does not have the deed but will write to Mr. Quinn. The regridgerating shares were not among McKellar's papers. McKellar's will was written in Old Mexico so not certified. She will contact E. F. Black to attend to these matters. Regrets her inability to resolve all the debt to their company. AL October 26, 1898. 1 leaf.

San Jose Material. Carson &Watson [the Scottish Mortgage and Land Investment Co. of New Mexico, Ltd.] to David McKellar [London]. Re: received letter from Las Vegas with charges for judgement; account statement; interest charged; have to admit they have been lenient; making nothing on this transaction because of all the trouble with advancing the money; they could have better profits if they had invested in New Mexico instead. ALS November 4, 1889. 1 leaf.